Personal Stories: Catharine Aboulhouda: 2008 National Ambassador

Personal Stories:

Read about the experiences of several families: when and where the mothers went into labor, what happened in the hospital, and how the babies did after birth.

Catharine Aboulhouda: 2008 National Ambassador

Expected to be her family's Halloween treat, Catharine Aboulhouda instead arrived on the Fourth of July. She weighed just 1 pound, 10 ounces and measured only 12 inches long. Since she was 16 weeks early, her eyes were still fused shut. Catherine fought for every breath, facing daily challenges caused by a heart defect, bleeding in her brain, jaundice and a heart murmur.

2007 National Ambassador: Zeek Taylor

Ezekiel "Zeek" Taylor, is an artistic 7 1/2 -year-old who loves music, cooking, making greeting cards and performing with a drum line.

Preterm Labor Story: A Happy Ending

Cathy tells how she recognized the signs of preterm labor and got help early. After a stay in the hospital, her baby Kayli was born healthy and full term.

Alexa Marie Ostolaza: 2006 National Ambassador

Weighing only 1 pound, 4 ounces at birth, Alexa Marie Ostolaza is living proof that there is hope, thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and advances in research.

Navy Anderson: 2005 National Ambassador

Navy Anderson and her twin brotherJackson were born 17 weeks too soon. Jackson survived only 3½ hours. Navy, who weighed less than 2 pounds, pulled through.

Amanda Reeves: 2004 National Ambassador

Amanda Reeves is a special little girl whose life got off to a fragile and challenging start.

Ricky Obst: A Mother's Promise

Ricky was born at 27 weeks and weighed less than 3 pounds. He died in his mother's arms. By working with the March of Dimes, his mother is creating his legacy.